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Carreño F, Helfer VE, Staudt KJ, Paese K, Meyer FS, Herrmann AP, Guterres SS, Rates SMK, Dalla Costa T. Quetiapine lipid core nanocapsules restore prepulse inhibition deficits in a neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia in male and female rats. Schizophr Res 2020; 218:173-179. [PMID: 31973996 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Lipid core nanocapsules (LNC) have been extensively studied as a new treatment strategy to improve therapeutic effects of antipsychotic drugs. We investigated the efficacy of quetiapine LNCs (QLNCs) on the poly(i:c) model of schizophrenia in both male and female rats using the pre-pulse inhibition of startle response (PPI) test paradigm after evaluating the outcomes of three different poly(i:c) doses administered to pregnant damns at GD15 on neurodevelopmental outcomes of maternal immune activation (MIA) in adult offspring. QTP solution was not capable of producing a reversal in the sensorimotor gating-disruptive effect caused by the prenatal poly(i:c) exposure. The same dose of QTP given as QLNCs significantly improved PPI-impairment. This is the first study reporting the restoration of the PPI deficits in a neurodevelopmental model of SCZ using LNCs. This is a promising delivery system strategy to improve antipsychotic effects contributing to the development of better SCZ pharmacological treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Carreño
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 2759, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Victória Etges Helfer
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 2759, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Keli Jaqueline Staudt
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 2759, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Karina Paese
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 2759, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Fabíola Schons Meyer
- Centro de Reprodução e Experimentação de Animais de Laboratório, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, 91509-900 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Herrmann
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia e Terapêutica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Sarmento Leite, 500, 90050-170 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Sílvia Stanisçuaski Guterres
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 2759, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Stela Maris Kuze Rates
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 2759, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Teresa Dalla Costa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 2759, 90610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Vidal PM, Pacheco R. The Cross-Talk Between the Dopaminergic and the Immune System Involved in Schizophrenia. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:394. [PMID: 32296337 PMCID: PMC7137825 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine is one of the neurotransmitters whose transmission is altered in a number of neural pathways in the brain of schizophrenic patients. Current evidence indicates that these alterations involve hyperactive dopaminergic transmission in mesolimbic areas, striatum, and hippocampus, whereas hypoactive dopaminergic transmission has been reported in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic patients. Consequently, schizophrenia is associated with several cognitive and behavioral alterations. Of note, the immune system has been found to collaborate with the central nervous system in a number of cognitive and behavioral functions, which are dysregulated in schizophrenia. Moreover, emerging evidence has associated schizophrenia and inflammation. Importantly, different lines of evidence have shown dopamine as a major regulator of inflammation. In this regard, dopamine might exert strong regulation in the activity, migration, differentiation, and proliferation of immune cells that have been shown to contribute to cognitive functions, including T-cells, microglial cells, and peripheral monocytes. Thereby, alterations in dopamine levels associated to schizophrenia might affect inflammatory response of immune cells and consequently some behavioral functions, including reference memory, learning, social behavior, and stress resilience. Altogether these findings support the involvement of an active cross-talk between the dopaminergic and immune systems in the physiopathology of schizophrenia. In this review we summarize, integrate, and discuss the current evidence indicating the involvement of an altered dopaminergic regulation of immunity in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia M Vidal
- Department of Basic Science, Biomedical Science Research Lab, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Concepción, Chile.,Laboratorio de Neuroinmunología, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Pacheco
- Laboratorio de Neuroinmunología, Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile.,Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago, Chile
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53
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Hong J, Bang M. Anti-inflammatory Strategies for Schizophrenia: A Review of Evidence for Therapeutic Applications and Drug Repurposing. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 18:10-24. [PMID: 31958901 PMCID: PMC7006977 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2020.18.1.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric disorder with a substantial socioeconomic and humanistic burden. Currently available treatment strategies mostly rely on antipsychotic drugs, which block dopaminergic effects in the mesolimbic pathway of the brain. Although antipsychotic drugs help relieve psychotic symptoms, a definitive cure for schizophrenia has yet to be achieved. Recent advances in neuroinflammation research suggest that proinflammatory processes in the brain could cause alterations in neurobehavioral development and increase vulnerability to schizophrenia. With a growing need for novel strategies in the treatment of schizophrenia, it would be meaningful to review the current evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of anti-inflammatory strategies. This review details the key findings of clinical trials that investigate the efficacy of anti-inflammatory agents as adjuvants to antipsychotic treatment. We further discuss the possibilities of repurposing anti-inflammatory agents and developing novel strategies for the treatment of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonghee Hong
- CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Minji Bang
- Department of Psychiatry, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
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54
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Rahman T, Weickert CS, Harms L, Meehan C, Schall U, Todd J, Hodgson DM, Michie PT, Purves-Tyson T. Effect of Immune Activation during Early Gestation or Late Gestation on Inhibitory Markers in Adult Male Rats. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1982. [PMID: 32029751 PMCID: PMC7004984 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-58449-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
People with schizophrenia exhibit deficits in inhibitory neurons and cognition. The timing of maternal immune activation (MIA) may present distinct schizophrenia-like phenotypes in progeny. We investigated whether early gestation [gestational day (GD) 10] or late gestation (GD19) MIA, via viral mimetic polyI:C, produces deficits in inhibitory neuron indices (GAD1, PVALB, SST, SSTR2 mRNAs) within cortical, striatal, and hippocampal subregions of male adult rat offspring. In situ hybridisation revealed that polyI:C offspring had: (1) SST mRNA reductions in the cingulate cortex and nucleus accumbens shell, regardless of MIA timing; (2) SSTR2 mRNA reductions in the cortex and striatum of GD19, but not GD10, MIA; (3) no alterations in cortical or striatal GAD1 mRNA of polyI:C offspring, but an expected reduction of PVALB mRNA in the infralimbic cortex, and; (4) no alterations in inhibitory markers in hippocampus. Maternal IL-6 response negatively correlated with adult offspring SST mRNA in cortex and striatum, but not hippocampus. These results show lasting inhibitory-related deficits in cortex and striatum in adult offspring from MIA. SST downregulation in specific cortical and striatal subregions, with additional deficits in somatostatin-related signalling through SSTR2, may contribute to some of the adult behavioural changes resulting from MIA and its timing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasnim Rahman
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Cynthia Shannon Weickert
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Lauren Harms
- School of Psychology, The University of Newcastle, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Crystal Meehan
- School of Psychology, The University of Newcastle, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Division of Psychology, School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Ulrich Schall
- Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Juanita Todd
- School of Psychology, The University of Newcastle, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Deborah M Hodgson
- School of Psychology, The University of Newcastle, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Patricia T Michie
- School of Psychology, The University of Newcastle, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Tertia Purves-Tyson
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. .,Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Gogos A, Sbisa A, Witkamp D, van den Buuse M. Sex differences in the effect of maternal immune activation on cognitive and psychosis-like behaviour in Long Evans rats. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 52:2614-2626. [PMID: 31901174 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Maternal immune activation during pregnancy is associated with increased risk of development of schizophrenia in later life. There are sex differences in schizophrenia, particularly in terms of age of onset, course of illness and severity of symptoms. However, there is limited and inconsistent literature on sex differences in the effects of maternal immune activation on behaviour with relevance to schizophrenia. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate sex differences in the effects of maternal immune activation by treating Long Evans rats with poly(I:C) on gestational day 15. We compared adult male and female offspring on spatial working memory in the touchscreen trial-unique nonmatching-to-location task, pairwise discrimination and reversal learning, as well as on prepulse inhibition and psychotropic drug-induced locomotor hyperactivity. Male, but not female poly(I:C) offspring displayed a deficit in spatial working memory, particularly at the longer delay. Neither pairwise discrimination nor reversal learning showed an effect of poly(I:C), but female controls outperformed male controls in the reversal learning task. Significant reduction of prepulse inhibition and enhancement of acute methamphetamine-induced locomotor hyperactivity was found similarly in male and female poly(I:C) offspring. These results show that maternal immune activation induces a range of behavioural effects in the offspring, with sex specificity in the effects of maternal immune activation on some aspects of cognition, but not psychosis-like behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Gogos
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Alyssa Sbisa
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Diede Witkamp
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Maarten van den Buuse
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,The College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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56
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Aguilar-Valles A, Rodrigue B, Matta-Camacho E. Maternal Immune Activation and the Development of Dopaminergic Neurotransmission of the Offspring: Relevance for Schizophrenia and Other Psychoses. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:852. [PMID: 33061910 PMCID: PMC7475700 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal infections have been linked to the development of schizophrenia (SCZ) and other neurodevelopmental disorders in the offspring, and work in animal models indicates that this is to occur through the maternal inflammatory response triggered by infection. Several studies in animal models demonstrated that acute inflammatory episodes are sufficient to trigger brain alterations in the adult offspring, especially in the mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system, involved in the pathophysiology of SCZ and other disorders involving psychosis. In the current review, we synthesize the literature on the clinical studies implicating prenatal infectious events in the development of SCZ. Then, we summarize evidence from animal models of maternal immune activation (MIA) and the behavioral and molecular alterations relevant for the function of the DAergic system. Furthermore, we discuss the evidence supporting the involvement of maternal cytokines, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and leptin (a hormone with effects on inflammation) in mediating the effects of MIA on the fetal brain, leading to the long-lasting effects on the offspring. In particular, IL-6 has been involved in mediating the effects of MIA animal models in the offspring through actions on the placenta, induction of IL-17a, or triggering the decrease in non-heme iron (hypoferremia). Maternal infection is very likely interacting with additional genetic and environmental risk factors in the development of SCZ; systematically investigating how these interactions produce specific phenotypes is the next step in understanding the etiology of complex psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brandon Rodrigue
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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57
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Di Biase MA, Katabi G, Piontkewitz Y, Cetin-Karayumak S, Weiner I, Pasternak O. Increased extracellular free-water in adult male rats following in utero exposure to maternal immune activation. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 83:283-287. [PMID: 31521731 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2019.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In previous work, we applied novel in vivo imaging methods to reveal that white matter pathology in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) is mainly characterized by excessive extracellular free-water, and to a lesser extent by cellular processes, such as demyelination. Here, we apply a back-translational approach to evaluate whether or not a rodent model of maternal immune activation (MIA) induces patterns of white matter pathology that we observed in patients with FEP. To this end, we examined free-water and tissue-specific white matter alterations in rats born to mothers exposed to the viral mimic polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (Poly-I:C) in pregnancy, which is widely used to produce alterations relevant to schizophrenia and is characterized by a robust neuroinflammatory response. METHOD Pregnant dams were injected on gestational day 15 with the viral mimic Poly-I:C (4 mg/kg) or saline. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images were acquired from 17 male offspring (9 Poly-I:C and 8 saline) on postnatal day 90, after the emergence of brain structural and behavioral abnormalities. The free-water fraction (FW) and tissue-specific fractional anisotropy (FAT), as well as conventional fractional anisotropy (FA) were computed across voxels traversing a white matter skeleton. Voxel-wise and whole-brain averaged white matter were tested for significant microstructural alterations in immune-challenged, relative to saline-exposed offspring. RESULTS Compared to saline-exposed offspring, those exposed to maternal Poly-I:C displayed increased extracellular FW averaged across voxels comprising a white matter skeleton (t(15) = 2.74; p = 0.01). Voxel-wise analysis ascribed these changes to white matter within the corpus callosum, external capsule and the striatum. In contrast, no significant between-group differences emerged for FAT or for conventional FA, measured across average and voxel-wise white matter. CONCLUSION We identified excess FW across frontal white matter fibers of rats exposed to prenatal immune activation, analogous to our "bedside" observation in FEP patients. Findings from this initial experiment promote use of the MIA model to examine pathological pathways underlying FW alterations observed in patients with schizophrenia. Establishing these mechanisms has important implications for clinical studies, as free-water imaging reflects a feasible biomarker that has so far yielded consistent findings in the early stages of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Di Biase
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Gili Katabi
- School of Psychological Sciences and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Piontkewitz
- Straus Center for Computational Neuroimaging, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Suheyla Cetin-Karayumak
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ina Weiner
- School of Psychological Sciences and Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ofer Pasternak
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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58
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Duchatel RJ, Harms LR, Meehan CL, Michie PT, Bigland MJ, Smith DW, Jobling P, Hodgson DM, Tooney PA. Reduced cortical somatostatin gene expression in a rat model of maternal immune activation. Psychiatry Res 2019; 282:112621. [PMID: 31648143 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in GABAergic interneurons and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) are observed in the brains of people with schizophrenia. Studies also show increased density of interstitial white matter neurons (IWMN), including those containing GAD and somatostatin (SST) in the brain in schizophrenia. Maternal immune activation can be modelled in rodents to investigate the relationship between prenatal exposure to infections and increased risk of developing schizophrenia. We reported that maternal immune activation induced an increase in density of somatostatin-positive IWMN in the adult rat offspring. Here we hypothesised that maternal immune activation induced in pregnant rats by polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid would alter SST and GAD gene expression as well as increase the density of GAD-positive IWMNs in the adult offspring. SST gene expression was significantly reduced in the cingulate cortex of adult offspring exposed to late gestation maternal immune activation. There was no change in cortical GAD gene expression nor GAD-positive IWMN density in adults rats exposed to maternal immune activation at either early or late gestation. This suggests that our model of maternal immune activation induced by prenatal exposure of rats to polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid during late gestation is able to recapitulate changes in SST but not other GABAergic neuropathologies observed in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Duchatel
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305 Australia.
| | - Lauren R Harms
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305 Australia.
| | - Crystal L Meehan
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305 Australia.
| | - Patricia T Michie
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305 Australia.
| | - Mark J Bigland
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305 Australia.
| | - Doug W Smith
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305 Australia.
| | - Phillip Jobling
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305 Australia.
| | - Deborah M Hodgson
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305 Australia.
| | - Paul A Tooney
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305 Australia.
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59
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Endogenous Retroviruses Activity as a Molecular Signature of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20236050. [PMID: 31801288 PMCID: PMC6928979 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20236050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are genetic elements resulting from relics of ancestral infection of germline cells, now recognized as cofactors in the etiology of several complex diseases. Here we present a review of findings supporting the role of the abnormal HERVs activity in neurodevelopmental disorders. The derailment of brain development underlies numerous neuropsychiatric conditions, likely starting during prenatal life and carrying on during subsequent maturation of the brain. Autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, and schizophrenia are neurodevelopmental disorders that arise clinically during early childhood or adolescence, currently attributed to the interplay among genetic vulnerability, environmental risk factors, and maternal immune activation. The role of HERVs in human embryogenesis, their intrinsic responsiveness to external stimuli, and the interaction with the immune system support the involvement of HERVs in the derailed neurodevelopmental process. Although definitive proofs that HERVs are involved in neurobehavioral alterations are still lacking, both preclinical models and human studies indicate that the abnormal expression of ERVs could represent a neurodevelopmental disorders-associated biological trait in affected individuals and their parents.
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Discrimination difficulty, cognitive burden, and reversal impairments in a maternal immune activation model of schizophrenia risk. Behav Processes 2019; 167:103936. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2019.103936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Thom RP, Keary CJ, Palumbo ML, Ravichandran CT, Mullett JE, Hazen EP, Neumeyer AM, McDougle CJ. Beyond the brain: A multi-system inflammatory subtype of autism spectrum disorder. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:3045-3061. [PMID: 31139876 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05280-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
An immune-mediated subtype of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has long been hypothesized. This article reviews evidence from family history studies of autoimmunity, immunogenetics, maternal immune activation, neuroinflammation, and systemic inflammation, which suggests immune dysfunction in ASD. Individuals with ASD have higher rates of co-morbid medical illness than the general population. Major medical co-morbidities associated with ASD are discussed by body system. Mechanisms by which FDA-approved and emerging treatments for ASD act upon the immune system are then reviewed. We conclude by proposing the hypothesis of an immune-mediated subtype of ASD which is characterized by systemic, multi-organ inflammation or immune dysregulation with shared mechanisms that drive both the behavioral and physical illnesses associated with ASD. Although gaps in evidence supporting this hypothesis remain, benefits of this conceptualization include framing future research questions that will help define a clinically meaningful subset of patients and focusing clinical interactions on early detection and treatment of high-risk medical illnesses as well as interfering behavioral signs and symptoms across the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn P Thom
- Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Christopher J Keary
- Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Lurie Center for Autism, 1 Maguire Road, Lexington, MA, 02421, USA
| | - Michelle L Palumbo
- Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Lurie Center for Autism, 1 Maguire Road, Lexington, MA, 02421, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Caitlin T Ravichandran
- Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Lurie Center for Autism, 1 Maguire Road, Lexington, MA, 02421, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jennifer E Mullett
- Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Lurie Center for Autism, 1 Maguire Road, Lexington, MA, 02421, USA
| | - Eric P Hazen
- Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ann M Neumeyer
- Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Lurie Center for Autism, 1 Maguire Road, Lexington, MA, 02421, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Christopher J McDougle
- Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. .,Lurie Center for Autism, 1 Maguire Road, Lexington, MA, 02421, USA.
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Lammert CR, Lukens JR. Modeling Autism-Related Disorders in Mice with Maternal Immune Activation (MIA). Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1960:227-236. [PMID: 30798536 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9167-9_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has emerged as one of the most prevalent and poorly understood disorders of our time. The etiology of autism currently remains poorly understood; however, emerging clinical and experimental evidence suggests central roles for maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy in ASD. In particular, children whose mothers suffered from an infectious disease or other inflammatory conditions during pregnancy are at a substantially higher risk of developing ASD. It has been shown that MIA-induced ASD can be modeled by treating pregnant mice with the viral mimetic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (PolyI:C) during key neurodevelopmental time points. In this paradigm, PolyI:C treatment induces systemic inflammatory responses that model MIA during viral infections. Offspring from PolyI:C-treated mothers develop many of the defining features of ASD including defects in social interactions, communicative impairments, and repetitive/stereotyped behaviors, as well as neuropathologies that are commonly observed in human ASD. While the early use of this emerging ASD model system has provided important initial insights into the involvement of gestational immune dysfunction in neurodevelopmental disorder pathogenesis, we have only just begun to scratch the surface in our understanding of how MIA affects brain maturation and contributes to neurodevelopmental disease. Here we describe best practices for how the PolyI:C model of MIA can be used to study autism-related disorders in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine R Lammert
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Brain Immunology and Glia, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - John R Lukens
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Brain Immunology and Glia, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA. .,Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
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Maternal Immune Activation during Pregnancy Alters the Behavior Profile of Female Offspring of Sprague Dawley Rats. eNeuro 2019; 6:eN-NWR-0437-18. [PMID: 31016229 PMCID: PMC6477592 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0437-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differences are documented in psychiatric and neurological disorders, yet most preclinical animal research has been conducted in males only. There is a need to better understand of the nature of sex differences in brain disease in order to meet the needs of psychiatric patients. We present the behavior profile of adult female offspring produced using a maternal immune activation (MIA) model where pregnant rats receive an immune stimulant and the offspring typically show various abnormalities consistent with psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia and autism. The results in female offspring were compared to a previously published cohort of their male siblings (Lins et al., 2018). We examined prepulse inhibition (PPI), sociability, MK-801-induced locomotor activity, crossmodal object recognition (CMOR), and oddity discrimination; behaviors relevant to the positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. No between-treatment differences in PPI or locomotor activity were noted. Tactile memory was observed in the control and treated female offspring, visual recognition memory was deficient in the polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) offspring only, and both groups lacked crossmodal recognition. PolyI:C offspring were impaired in oddity preference and had reduced preference for a stranger conspecific in a sociability assay. Systemic maternal CXCL1, IL-6, and TNF-a levels 3 h after polyI:C treatment were determined, but no relationship was found between these cytokines and the behavior seen in the adult female offspring. Overall, female offspring of polyI:C-treated dams display an array of behavior abnormalities relevant to psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia similar to those previously reported in male rats.
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Inflammation-dependent ISG15 upregulation mediates MIA-induced dendrite damages and depression by disrupting NEDD4/Rap2A signaling. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2019; 1865:1477-1489. [PMID: 30826466 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal immune activation (MIA) is an independent risk factor for psychiatric disorders including depression spectrum in the offsprings, but the molecular mechanism is unclear. Recent studies show that interferon-stimulated gene-15 (ISG15) is involved in inflammation and neuronal dendrite development; here we studied the role of ISG15 in MIA-induced depression and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS By vena caudalis injecting polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) into the pregnant rats to mimic MIA, we used AAV or lentivirus to introduce or silence ISG15 expression. Synaptic plasticity was detected by confocal microscope and Golgi staining. Cognitive performances of the offspring were measured by Open field, Forced swimming and Sucrose preference test. RESULTS We found that MIA induced depression-like behaviors with dendrite impairments in the offspring with ISG15 level increased in the offsprings' brain. Overexpressing ISG15 in the prefrontal cortex of neonatal cubs (P0) could mimic dendritic pathology and depressive like behaviors, while downregulating ISG15 rescued these abnormalities in the offsprings. Further studies demonstrated that MIA-induced upregulation of inflammatory cytokines promoted ISG15 expression in the offspring' brain which suppressed Rap2A ubiquitination via NEDD4 and thus induced Rap2A accumulation, while upregulating NEDD4 abolished ISG15-induced dendrite impairments. CONCLUSIONS These data reveal that MIA impedes offsprings' dendrite development and causes depressive like behaviors by upregulating ISG15 and suppressing NEDD4/Rap2A signaling. The current findings suggest that inhibiting ISG15 may be a promising intervention of MIA-induced psychiatric disorders in the offsprings.
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Missault S, Anckaerts C, Ahmadoun S, Blockx I, Barbier M, Bielen K, Shah D, Kumar-Singh S, De Vos WH, Van der Linden A, Dedeurwaerdere S, Verhoye M. Hypersynchronicity in the default mode-like network in a neurodevelopmental animal model with relevance for schizophrenia. Behav Brain Res 2019; 364:303-316. [PMID: 30807809 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.02.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune activation during pregnancy is an important risk factor for schizophrenia. Brain dysconnectivity and NMDA receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction have been postulated to be central to schizophrenia pathophysiology. The aim of this study was to investigate resting-state functional connectivity (resting-state functional MRI-rsfMRI), microstructure (diffusion tension imaging-DTI) and response to NMDAR antagonist (pharmacological fMRI-phMRI) using multimodal MRI in offspring of pregnant dams exposed to immune challenge (maternal immune activation-MIA model), and determine whether these neuroimaging readouts correlate with schizophrenia-related behaviour. METHODS Pregnant rats were injected with Poly I:C or saline on gestational day 15. The maternal weight response was assessed. Since previous research has shown behavioural deficits can differ between MIA offspring dependent on the maternal response to immune stimulus, offspring were divided into three groups: controls (saline, n = 11), offspring of dams that gained weight (Poly I:C WG, n = 12) and offspring of dams that lost weight post-MIA (Poly I:C WL, n = 16). Male adult offspring were subjected to rsfMRI, DTI, phMRI with NMDAR antagonist, behavioural testing and histological assessment. RESULTS Poly I:C WL offspring exhibited increased functional connectivity in default mode-like network (DMN). Poly I:C WG offspring showed the most pronounced attenuation in NMDAR antagonist response versus controls. DTI revealed no differences in Poly I:C offspring versus controls. Poly I:C offspring exhibited anxiety. CONCLUSIONS MIA offspring displayed a differential pathophysiology depending on the maternal response to immune challenge. While Poly I:C WL offspring displayed hypersynchronicity in the DMN, altered NMDAR antagonist response was most pronounced in Poly I:C WG offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Missault
- Experimental Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience and Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Bio-Imaging Lab, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Cynthia Anckaerts
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Soumaya Ahmadoun
- Experimental Laboratory of Translational Neuroscience and Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Ines Blockx
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Michaël Barbier
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Kenny Bielen
- Molecular Pathology Group, Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Disha Shah
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Samir Kumar-Singh
- Molecular Pathology Group, Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Winnok H De Vos
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium; Cell Systems & Imaging, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, University of Ghent, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Annemie Van der Linden
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Dedeurwaerdere
- Experimental Laboratory of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Marleen Verhoye
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
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Gray A, Tattoli R, Dunn A, Hodgson D, Michie P, Harms L. Maternal immune activation in mid-late gestation alters amphetamine sensitivity and object recognition, but not other schizophrenia-related behaviours in adult rats. Behav Brain Res 2019; 356:358-364. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Beversdorf DQ, Stevens HE, Margolis KG, Van de Water J. Prenatal Stress and Maternal Immune Dysregulation in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Potential Points for Intervention. Curr Pharm Des 2019; 25:4331-4343. [PMID: 31742491 PMCID: PMC7100710 DOI: 10.2174/1381612825666191119093335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetics is a major etiological contributor to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Environmental factors, however, also appear to contribute. ASD pathophysiology due to gene x environment is also beginning to be explored. One reason to focus on environmental factors is that they may allow opportunities for intervention or prevention. METHODS AND RESULTS Herein, we review two such factors that have been associated with a significant proportion of ASD risk, prenatal stress exposure and maternal immune dysregulation. Maternal stress susceptibility appears to interact with prenatal stress exposure to affect offspring neurodevelopment. We also explore how maternal stress may interact with the microbiome in the neurodevelopmental setting. Additionally, understanding of the impact of maternal immune dysfunction on ASD has recently been advanced by recognition of specific fetal brain proteins targeted by maternal autoantibodies, and identification of unique mid-gestational maternal immune profiles. This might also be interrelated with maternal stress exposure. Animal models have been developed to explore pathophysiology targeting each of these factors. CONCLUSION We are beginning to understand the behavioral, pharmacopathological, and epigenetic effects related to these interactions, and we are beginning to explore potential mitigating factors. Continued growth in understanding of these mechanisms may ultimately allow for the identification of multiple potential targets for prevention or intervention for this subset of environmental-associated ASD cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Q. Beversdorf
- Departments of Radiology, Neurology, and Psychological Sciences, and The Thompson Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, William and Nancy Thompson Endowed Chair in Radiology
| | - Hanna E. Stevens
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa
| | - Kara Gross Margolis
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center
| | - Judy Van de Water
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, And the MIND Institute, University of California, Davis
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Kentner AC, Bilbo SD, Brown AS, Hsiao EY, McAllister AK, Meyer U, Pearce BD, Pletnikov MV, Yolken RH, Bauman MD. Maternal immune activation: reporting guidelines to improve the rigor, reproducibility, and transparency of the model. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:245-258. [PMID: 30188509 PMCID: PMC6300528 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0185-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The 2017 American College of Neuropychopharmacology (ACNP) conference hosted a Study Group on 4 December 2017, Establishing best practice guidelines to improve the rigor, reproducibility, and transparency of the maternal immune activation (MIA) animal model of neurodevelopmental abnormalities. The goals of this session were to (a) evaluate the current literature and establish a consensus on best practices to be implemented in MIA studies, (b) identify remaining research gaps warranting additional data collection and lend to the development of evidence-based best practice design, and (c) inform the MIA research community of these findings. During this session, there was a detailed discussion on the importance of validating immunogen doses and standardizing the general design (e.g., species, immunogenic compound used, housing) of our MIA models both within and across laboratories. The consensus of the study group was that data does not currently exist to support specific evidence-based model selection or methodological recommendations due to lack of consistency in reporting, and that this issue extends to other inflammatory models of neurodevelopmental abnormalities. This launched a call to establish a reporting checklist focusing on validation, implementation, and transparency modeled on the ARRIVE Guidelines and CONSORT (scientific reporting guidelines for animal and clinical research, respectively). Here we provide a summary of the discussions in addition to a suggested checklist of reporting guidelines needed to improve the rigor and reproducibility of this valuable translational model, which can be adapted and applied to other animal models as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda C. Kentner
- 0000 0001 0021 3995grid.416498.6School of Arts & Sciences, Health Psychology Program, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, MA USA
| | - Staci D. Bilbo
- 000000041936754Xgrid.38142.3cDepartment of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,0000 0004 0386 9924grid.32224.35Lurie Center for Autism, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, MA USA
| | - Alan S. Brown
- 0000000419368729grid.21729.3fDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY USA ,0000 0000 8499 1112grid.413734.6New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY USA
| | - Elaine Y. Hsiao
- 0000 0000 9632 6718grid.19006.3eDepartment of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - A. Kimberley McAllister
- 0000 0004 1936 9684grid.27860.3bCenter for Neuroscience, University of California Davis, Davis, CA USA
| | - Urs Meyer
- 0000 0004 1937 0650grid.7400.3Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Winterthurerstrasse, Zurich, Switzerland ,0000 0004 1937 0650grid.7400.3Neuroscience Centre Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Brad D. Pearce
- 0000 0001 0941 6502grid.189967.8Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, and Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA USA
| | - Mikhail V. Pletnikov
- 0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Robert H. Yolken
- 0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Pediatrics, Stanley Division of Developmental Neurovirology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Melissa D. Bauman
- 0000 0004 1936 9684grid.27860.3bThe UC Davis MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, USA
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Sethi R, Gómez-Coronado N, Walker AJ, Robertson OD, Agustini B, Berk M, Dodd S. Neurobiology and Therapeutic Potential of Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) Inhibitors for Inflammation in Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:605. [PMID: 31551825 PMCID: PMC6738329 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, are associated with significant illness burden. Accumulating evidence supports an association between these disorders and inflammation. Consequently, anti-inflammatory agents, such as the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, represent a novel avenue to prevent and treat neuropsychiatric illness. In this paper, we first review the role of inflammation in psychiatric pathophysiology including inflammatory cytokines' influence on neurotransmitters, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and microglial mechanisms. We then discuss how cyclooxygenase-2-inhibitors influence these pathways with potential therapeutic benefit, with a focus on celecoxib, due to its superior safety profile. A search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and PsychINFO databases, in addition to Clinicaltrials.gov and the Stanley Medical Research Institute trial registries. The results were presented as a narrative review. Currently available outcomes for randomized controlled trials up to November 2017 are also discussed. The evidence reviewed here suggests cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, and in particular celecoxib, may indeed assist in treating the symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders; however, further studies are required to assess appropriate illness stage-related indication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rickinder Sethi
- Department of Psychiatry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Nieves Gómez-Coronado
- Unidad de Gestión Clinica Salud Mental, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Adam J Walker
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Oliver D'Arcy Robertson
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.,University Hospital Geelong, Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Bruno Agustini
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia
| | - Michael Berk
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.,University Hospital Geelong, Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia.,Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Psychiatry, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Seetal Dodd
- IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC, Australia.,University Hospital Geelong, Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia.,Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Azhari A, Azizan F, Esposito G. A systematic review of gut-immune-brain mechanisms in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Dev Psychobiol 2018; 61:752-771. [PMID: 30523646 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Despite decades of research, the etiological origins of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) remain elusive. Recently, the mechanisms of ASD have encompassed emerging theories involving the gastrointestinal, immune, and nervous systems. While each of these perspectives presents its own set of supporting evidence, the field requires an integration of these modular concepts and an overarching view of how these subsystems intersect. In this systematic review, we have synthesized relevant evidences from the existing literature, evaluating them in an interdependent manner and in doing so, outlining their possible connections. Specifically, we first discussed gastrointestinal and immuno-inflammation pathways in-depth, exploring the relationships between microbial composition, bacterial metabolites, gut mucosa, and immune system constituents. Accounting for temporal differences in the mechanisms involved in neurodevelopment, prenatal and postnatal phases were further elucidated, where the former focused on maternal immune activation (MIA) and fetal development, while the latter addressed the role of immune dysregulation in contributing to atypical neurodevelopment. As autism remains, foremost, a neurodevelopmental disorder, this review presents an integration of disparate modules into a "Gut-Immune-Brain" paradigm. Existing gaps in the literature have been highlighted, and possible avenues for future research with an integrated physiological perspective underlying ASD have also been suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atiqah Azhari
- Psychology Program, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Farouq Azizan
- Psychology Program, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gianluca Esposito
- Psychology Program, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento, Rovereto, TN, Italy
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Brown AS, Meyer U. Maternal Immune Activation and Neuropsychiatric Illness: A Translational Research Perspective. Am J Psychiatry 2018; 175:1073-1083. [PMID: 30220221 PMCID: PMC6408273 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.17121311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiologic studies, including prospective birth cohort investigations, have implicated maternal immune activation in the etiology of neuropsychiatric disorders. Maternal infectious pathogens and inflammation are plausible risk factors for these outcomes and have been associated with schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and bipolar disorder. Concurrent with epidemiologic research are animal models of prenatal immune activation, which have documented behavioral, neurochemical, neuroanatomic, and neurophysiologic disruptions that mirror phenotypes observed in these neuropsychiatric disorders. Epidemiologic studies of maternal immune activation offer the advantage of directly evaluating human populations but are limited in their ability to uncover pathogenic mechanisms. Animal models, on the other hand, are limited in their generalizability to psychiatric disorders but have made significant strides toward discovering causal relationships and biological pathways between maternal immune activation and neuropsychiatric phenotypes. Incorporating these risk factors in reverse translational animal models of maternal immune activation has yielded a wealth of data supporting the predictive potential of epidemiologic studies. To further enhance the translatability between epidemiology and basic science, the authors propose a complementary approach that includes deconstructing neuropsychiatric outcomes of maternal immune activation into key pathophysiologically defined phenotypes that are identifiable in humans and animals and that evaluate the interspecies concordance regarding interactions between maternal immune activation and genetic and epigenetic factors, including processes involving intergenerational disease transmission. [AJP AT 175: Remembering Our Past As We Envision Our Future October 1857: The Pathology of Insanity J.C. Bucknill: "In the brain the state of inflammation itself either very quickly ceases or very soon causes death; but when it does cease it leaves behind it consequences which are frequently the causes of insanity, and the conditions of cerebral atrophy." (Am J Psychiatry 1857; 14:172-193 )].
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan S. Brown
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Urs Meyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland,Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Maternal Immune Activation Alters Adult Behavior, Gut Microbiome and Juvenile Brain Oscillations in Ferrets. eNeuro 2018; 5:eN-NWR-0313-18. [PMID: 30406186 PMCID: PMC6220580 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0313-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) has been identified as a causal factor in psychiatric disorders by epidemiological studies in humans and mechanistic studies in rodent models. Addressing this gap in species between mice and human will accelerate the understanding of the role of MIA in the etiology of psychiatric disorders. Here, we provide the first study of MIA in the ferret (Mustela putorius furo), an animal model with a rich history of developmental investigations due to the similarities in developmental programs and cortical organization with primates. We found that after MIA by injection of PolyIC in the pregnant mother animal, the adult offspring exhibited reduced social behavior, less eye contact with humans, decreased recognition memory, a sex-specific increase in amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion, and altered gut microbiome. We also studied the neurophysiological properties of the MIA ferrets in development by in-vivo recordings of the local field potential (LFP) from visual cortex in five- to six-week-old animals, and found that the spontaneous and sensory-evoked LFP had decreased power, especially in the gamma frequency band. Overall, our results provide the first evidence for the detrimental effect of MIA in ferrets and support the use of the ferret as an intermediate model species for the study of disorders with neurodevelopmental origin.
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73
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Zhang J, Jing Y, Zhang H, Bilkey DK, Liu P. Maternal immune activation altered microglial immunoreactivity in the brain of postnatal day 2 rat offspring. Synapse 2018; 73:e22072. [PMID: 30256454 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system, play critical roles in neurodevelopment, synaptic pruning, and neuronal wiring. Early in development, microglia migrate via the tangential and radial migration pathways to their final destinations and mature gradually, a process that includes morphological changes. Recent research has implicated microglial abnormality in the etiology of schizophrenia. Since prenatal exposure to viral or bacterial infections due to maternal immune activation (MIA) leads to increased risk of schizophrenia in the offspring during adulthood, the present study systematically investigated how MIA induced by polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (a mimic of viral double-stranded RNA) affected microglial immunoreactivity along the migration and maturation trajectories in the brains of male and female rat offspring on postnatal day (PND) 2. The immunohistochemistry revealed significant changes in the density of IBA-1 immunoreactive cells in the corpus callosum, somatosensory cortex, striatum, and the subregions of the hippocampus of the MIA offspring. The male and female MIA offspring displayed markedly altered microglial immunoreactivity in both the tangential and radial migration, as well as maturation, pathways when compared to their sex- and age-matched controls as evidenced by morphology-based cell counting. Given the important roles of microglia in synaptic pruning and neuronal wiring and survival, these changes may lead to structural and functional neurodevelopmental abnormalities, and so contribute to the functional deficits observed in juvenile and adult MIA offspring. Future research is required to systematically determine how MIA affects microglial migration and maturation in rat offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxian Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain Health and Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yu Jing
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain Health and Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Hu Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain Health and Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - David K Bilkey
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain Health and Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Brain Health and Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Prospective Analysis of the Effects of Maternal Immune Activation on Rat Cytokines during Pregnancy and Behavior of the Male Offspring Relevant to Schizophrenia. eNeuro 2018; 5:eN-NWR-0249-18. [PMID: 30225350 PMCID: PMC6140112 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0249-18.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza during pregnancy is associated with the development of psychopathology in the offspring. We sought to determine whether maternal cytokines produced following administration of viral mimetic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) to pregnant rats were predictive of behavioral abnormalities in the adult offspring. Timed-pregnant Sprague Dawley rats received a single intravenous injection of 4-mg/kg polyI:C or saline on gestational day (GD)15. Blood was collected 3 h later for serum analysis of cytokine levels with ELISA. Male offspring were tested in a battery of behavioral tests during adulthood and behavior was correlated with maternal cytokine levels. Maternal serum levels of CXCL1 and interleukin (IL)-6, but not tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α or CXCL2, were elevated in polyI:C-treated dams. PolyI:C-treated dams experienced post-treatment weight loss and polyI:C pups were smaller than controls at postnatal day (PND)1. Various behavior alterations were seen in the polyI:C-treated offspring. Male polyI:C offspring had enhanced MK-801-induced locomotion, and reduced sociability. PolyI:C offspring failed to display crossmodal and visual memory, and oddity preference was also impaired. Set-shifting, assessed with a lever-based operant conditioning task, was facilitated while touchscreen-based reversal learning was impaired. Correlations were found between maternal serum concentrations of CXCL1, acute maternal temperature and body weight changes, neonatal pup mass, and odd object discrimination and social behavior. Overall, while the offspring of polyI:C-treated rats displayed behavior abnormalities, maternal serum cytokines were not related to the long-term behavior changes in the offspring. Maternal sickness effects and neonatal pup size may be better indicators of later effects of maternal inflammation in the offspring.
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75
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Beversdorf DQ, Stevens HE, Jones KL. Prenatal Stress, Maternal Immune Dysregulation, and Their Association With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2018; 20:76. [PMID: 30094645 PMCID: PMC6369590 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-018-0945-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW While genetic factors are a major etiological contributor to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), evidence also supports a role for environmental factors. Herein, we will discuss two such factors that have been associated with a significant proportion of ASD risk: prenatal stress exposure and maternal immune dysregulation, and how sex and gender relate to these factors. RECENT FINDINGS Recent evidence suggests that maternal stress susceptibility interacts with prenatal stress exposure to affect offspring neurodevelopment. Additionally, understanding of the impact of maternal immune dysfunction on ASD has recently been advanced by recognition of specific fetal brain proteins targeted by maternal autoantibodies, and identification of unique mid-gestational maternal immune profiles. Animal models have been developed to explore pathophysiology targeting both of these factors, with limited sex-specific effects observed. While prenatal stress and maternal immune dysregulation are associated with ASD, most cases of these prenatal exposures do not result in ASD, suggesting interaction with multiple other risks. We are beginning to understand the behavioral, pharmacopathological, and epigenetic effects related to these interactions, as well as potential mitigating factors. Sex differences of these risks have been understudied but are crucial for understanding the higher prevalence of ASD in boys. Continued growth in understanding of these mechanisms may ultimately allow for the identification of multiple potential points for prevention or intervention, and for a personalized medicine approach for this subset of environmental-associated ASD cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Q. Beversdorf
- Departments of Radiology, Neurology, and Psychological Sciences And The Thompson Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA,Department of Radiology, University of Missouri, DC 069.10, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
| | - Hanna E. Stevens
- Departments of Psychiatry and Pediatrics, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Karen L. Jones
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, And the MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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76
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Basil P, Li Q, Gui H, Hui TCK, Ling VHM, Wong CCY, Mill J, McAlonan GM, Sham PC. Prenatal immune activation alters the adult neural epigenome but can be partly stabilised by a n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid diet. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:125. [PMID: 29967385 PMCID: PMC6028639 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0167-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 04/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
An unstable epigenome is implicated in the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. This is important because the epigenome is potentially modifiable. We have previously reported that adult offspring exposed to maternal immune activation (MIA) prenatally have significant global DNA hypomethylation in the hypothalamus. However, what genes had altered methylation state, their functional effects on gene expression and whether these changes can be moderated, have not been addressed. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing (NGS) for methylome profiling in a MIA rodent model of neurodevelopmental disorders. We assessed whether differentially methylated regions (DMRs) affected the chromatin state by mapping known DNase I hypersensitivity sites (DHSs), and selected overlapping genes to confirm a functional effect of MIA on gene expression using qPCR. Finally, we tested whether methylation differences elicited by MIA could be limited by post-natal dietary (omega) n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation. These experiments were conducted using hypothalamic brain tissue from 12-week-old offspring of mice injected with viral analogue PolyI:C on gestation day 9 of pregnancy or saline on gestation day 9. Half of the animals from each group were fed a diet enriched with n-3 PUFA from weaning (MIA group, n = 12 units, n = 39 mice; Control group, n = 12 units, n = 38 mice). The results confirmed our previous finding that adult offspring exposed to MIA prenatally had significant global DNA hypomethylation. Furthermore, genes linked to synaptic plasticity were over-represented among differentially methylated genes following MIA. More than 80% of MIA-induced hypomethylated sites, including those affecting chromatin state and MECP2 binding, were stabilised by the n-3 PUFA intervention. MIA resulted in increased expression of two of the 'top five' genes identified from an integrated analysis of DMRs, DHSs and MECP2 binding sites, namely Abat (t = 2.46, p < 0.02) and Gnas9 (t = 2.96, p < 0.01), although these changes were not stabilised by dietary intervention. Thus, prenatal MIA exposure impacts upon the epigenomic regulation of gene pathways linked to neurodevelopmental conditions; and many of the changes can be attenuated by a low-cost dietary intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Basil
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR China ,0000 0001 2160 926Xgrid.39382.33Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR China ,State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Hongsheng Gui
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Tomy C. K. Hui
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Vicki H. M. Ling
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR China
| | - Chloe C. Y. Wong
- 0000 0001 2322 6764grid.13097.3cMRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF UK
| | - Jonathan Mill
- 0000 0001 2322 6764grid.13097.3cMRC Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF UK ,0000 0004 1936 8024grid.8391.3University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter University, St Luke’s Campus, Magdalen Street, Exeter, EX1 2LU UK
| | - Grainne M. McAlonan
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR China ,0000 0001 2322 6764grid.13097.3cDepartment of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF UK
| | - Pak-Chung Sham
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China. .,Centre for Genomic Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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77
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Luan W, Hammond LA, Vuillermot S, Meyer U, Eyles DW. Maternal Vitamin D Prevents Abnormal Dopaminergic Development and Function in a Mouse Model of Prenatal Immune Activation. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9741. [PMID: 29950608 PMCID: PMC6021387 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-28090-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction in dopamine (DA) systems is a prominent feature in schizophrenia patients and may result from the abnormal development of mesencephalic (mes)DA systems. Maternal immune activation (MIA) and developmental vitamin D (DVD)-deficiency both induce schizophrenia-relevant dopaminergic abnormalities in adult offspring. In this study, we investigated whether maternal administration of the vitamin D hormone (1,25OHD, VITD) could prevent MIA-induced abnormalities in DA-related behaviors and mesDA development. We administrated the viral mimetic polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic (poly (I:C)) simultaneously with 1,25OHD and/or their vehicles, to pregnant mouse dams at gestational day 9. Maternal treatment with VITD prevented MIA-induced hypersensitivity to acute DA stimulation induced by amphetamine, whereas it failed to block prepulse inhibition deficiency in MIA-exposed offspring. MIA and VITD both reduced fetal mesDA progenitor (Lmx1a + Sox2+) cells, while VITD treatment increased the number of mature (Nurr1 + TH+) mesDA neurons. Single-cell quantification of protein expression showed that VITD treatment increased the expression of Lmx1a, Nurr1 and TH in individual mesDA cells and restored normal mesDA positioning. Our data demonstrate that VITD prevents abnormal dopaminergic phenotypes in MIA offspring possibly via its early neuroprotective actions on fetal mesDA neurons. Maternal supplementation with the dietary form of vitamin D, cholecalciferol may become a valuable strategy for the prevention of MIA-induced neurodevelopmental abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Luan
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | | | | | - Urs Meyer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich-Vetsuisse, Zurich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Centre Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Darryl Walter Eyles
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
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78
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Cakan P, Yildiz S, Ozgocer T, Yildiz A, Vardi N. Maternal viral mimetic administration at the beginning of fetal hypothalamic nuclei development accelerates puberty in female rat offspring. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2018; 96:506-514. [DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2016-0535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of maternal viral infection during a critical time window of fetal hypothalamic development on timing of puberty in the female offspring. For that purpose, a viral mimetic (i.e., synthetic double-strand RNA, namely, polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid, poly (I:C)) or saline was injected (i.p.) to the pregnant rats during the beginning (day 12 of pregnancy, n = 5 for each group) or at the end of this time window (day 14 of pregnancy, n = 5 for each group). Four study groups were formed from the female pups (n = 9–10 pups/group). Following weaning of pups, vaginal opening and vaginal smearing was studied daily until 2 sequential estrous cycles were observed. During the second diestrus phase, blood samples were taken for progesterone, leptin, corticosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. Maternal poly (I:C) injection on day 12 of pregnancy increased body mass and reduced the time to puberty in the female offspring. Neither poly (I:C) nor timing of injection affected other parameters studied (p > 0.05). It has been shown for the first time that maternal viral infection during the beginning of fetal hypothalamic development might hasten puberty by increasing body mass in rat offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Cakan
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Inonu, 44280 Malatya, Turkey
| | - Sedat Yildiz
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Inonu, 44280 Malatya, Turkey
| | - Tuba Ozgocer
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Inonu, 44280 Malatya, Turkey
| | - Azibe Yildiz
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Inonu, 44280 Malatya, Turkey
| | - Nigar Vardi
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Inonu, 44280 Malatya, Turkey
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79
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Zhang J, Jing Y, Zhang H, Bilkey DK, Liu P. Effects of maternal immune activation on brain arginine metabolism of postnatal day 2 rat offspring. Schizophr Res 2018; 192:431-441. [PMID: 28526281 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2017.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
l-Arginine is a versatile semi-essential amino acid with a number of bioactive metabolites, and altered arginine metabolism has been implicated in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Earlier research has demonstrated that maternal immune activation (MIA; a risk factor for schizophrenia) alters arginine metabolism in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of the adult offspring. The present study investigated how MIA affected the levels of l-arginine and its downstream metabolites in the whole forebrain, frontal cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum of male and female rat offspring at the age of postnatal day 2. While no effects were evident in the forebrain, MIA significantly increased l-arginine, glutamate, putrescine, spermidine and spermine levels and the glutamate/GABA ratio, but decreased the glutamine/glutamate ratio, in the frontal cortex, hippocampus and/or cerebellum with no marked sex differences. Cluster analyses revealed that l-arginine and its main metabolites formed distinct groups, which changed as a function of MIA or sex in all four brain regions examined. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that MIA alters brain arginine metabolism in the rat offspring during early neonatal development, and further support the involvement of arginine metabolism in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxian Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health and Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yu Jing
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health and Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Hu Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health and Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - David K Bilkey
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health and Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health and Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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80
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Solek CM, Farooqi N, Verly M, Lim TK, Ruthazer ES. Maternal immune activation in neurodevelopmental disorders. Dev Dyn 2017; 247:588-619. [PMID: 29226543 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2017] [Revised: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Converging lines of evidence from basic science and clinical studies suggest a relationship between maternal immune activation (MIA) and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizophrenia. The mechanisms through which MIA increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders have become a subject of intensive research. This review aims to describe how dysregulation of microglial function and immune mechanisms may link MIA and neurodevelopmental pathologies. We also summarize the current evidence in animal models of MIA. Developmental Dynamics 247:588-619, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia M Solek
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nasr Farooqi
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Myriam Verly
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tony K Lim
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Edward S Ruthazer
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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81
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Konefal SC, Stellwagen D. Tumour necrosis factor-mediated homeostatic synaptic plasticity in behavioural models: testing a role in maternal immune activation. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2017; 372:rstb.2016.0160. [PMID: 28093554 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2016.0160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The proinflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) has long been characterized for its role in the innate immune system, but more recently has been found to have a distinct role in the nervous system that does not overlap with other proinflammatory cytokines. Through regulation of neuronal glutamate and GABA receptor trafficking, TNF mediates a homeostatic form of synaptic plasticity, but plays no direct role in Hebbian forms of plasticity. As yet, there is no evidence to suggest that this adaptive plasticity plays a significant role in normal development, but it does maintain neuronal circuit function in the face of several types of disruption. This includes developmental plasticity in primary sensory cortices, as well as modulating the response to antidepressants, chronic antipsychotics and drugs of abuse. TNF is also a prominent component of the neuroinflammation occurring in most neuropathologies, but the role of TNF-mediated synaptic plasticity in this context remains to be determined. We tested this in a maternal immune activation (MIA) model of neurodevelopmental disorders. Using TNF-/- mice, we observed that TNF is not required for the expression of abnormal social or anxious behaviour in this model. This indicates that TNF does not uniquely contribute to the development of neuronal dysfunction in this model, and suggests that during neuroinflammatory events, compensation between the various proinflammatory cytokines is the norm.This article is part of the themed issue 'Integrating Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C Konefal
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1A4
| | - David Stellwagen
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Centre for Research in Neuroscience, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3G 1A4
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82
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Maternal immune activation in rats produces temporal perception impairments in adult offspring analogous to those observed in schizophrenia. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187719. [PMID: 29108010 PMCID: PMC5673217 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurophysiology underlying temporal perception significantly overlaps with areas of dysfunction identified in schizophrenia. Patients commonly exhibit distorted temporal perception, which likely contributes to functional impairments. Thus, study of temporal perception in animal models of the disease may help to understand both cognitive and neurobiological factors involved in functional impairments in patients. As maternal immune activation (MIA) has been shown to be a significant etiological risk factor in development of schizophrenia and other developmental psychiatric diseases, we tested interval timing in a rat model of MIA that has previously been shown to recapitulate several behavioural and neurophysiological impairments observed in the disease. Rats were tested on a temporal-bisection task, in which temporal duration stimuli were categorized as either “short” or “long” by responding to a corresponding lever. Data from this task were modeled to provide estimates of accuracy and sensitivity of temporal perception. Parameter estimates derived from the model fitting showed that MIA rats significantly overestimated the passage of time compared to controls. These results indicate that the MIA rat paradigm recapitulates timing distortions that are phenotypical of schizophrenia. These findings lend further support to the epidemiological validity of this MIA rat model, supporting its relevance for future research into the role of maternal immune activation in producing neurobiological and behavioural impairments in schizophrenia.
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83
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Brown AG, Tulina NM, Barila GO, Hester MS, Elovitz MA. Exposure to intrauterine inflammation alters metabolomic profiles in the amniotic fluid, fetal and neonatal brain in the mouse. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0186656. [PMID: 29049352 PMCID: PMC5648237 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exposure to prenatal inflammation is associated with diverse adverse neurobehavioral outcomes in exposed offspring. The mechanism by which inflammation negatively impacts the developing brain is poorly understood. Metabolomic profiling provides an opportunity to identify specific metabolites, and novel pathways, which may reveal mechanisms by which exposure to intrauterine inflammation promotes fetal and neonatal brain injury. Therefore, we investigated whether exposure to intrauterine inflammation altered the metabolome of the amniotic fluid, fetal and neonatal brain. Additionally, we explored whether changes in the metabolomic profile from exposure to prenatal inflammation occurs in a sex-specific manner in the neonatal brain. METHODS CD-1, timed pregnant mice received an intrauterine injection of lipopolysaccharide (50 μg/dam) or saline on embryonic day 15. Six and 48 hours later mice were sacrificed and amniotic fluid, and fetal brains were collected (n = 8/group). Postnatal brains were collected on day of life 1 (n = 6/group/sex). Global biochemical profiles were determined using ultra performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (Metabolon Inc.). Statistical analyses were performed by comparing samples from lipopolysaccharide and saline treated animals at each time point. For the P1 brains, analyses were stratified by sex. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS Exposure to intrauterine inflammation induced unique, temporally regulated changes in the metabolic profiles of amniotic fluid, fetal brain and postnatal brain. Six hours after exposure to intrauterine inflammation, the amniotic fluid and the fetal brain metabolomes were dramatically altered with significant enhancements of amino acid and purine metabolites. The amniotic fluid had enhanced levels of several members of the (hypo) xanthine pathway and this compound was validated as a potential biomarker. By 48 hours, the number of altered biochemicals in both the fetal brain and the amniotic fluid had declined, yet unique profiles existed. Neonatal pups exposed to intrauterine inflammation have significant alterations in their lipid metabolites, in particular, fatty acids. These sex-specific metabolic changes within the newborn brain offer an explanation regarding the sexual dimorphism of certain psychiatric and neurobehavioral disorders associated with exposure to prenatal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy G. Brown
- Maternal Child Health Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Natalia M. Tulina
- Maternal Child Health Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Guillermo O. Barila
- Maternal Child Health Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Michael S. Hester
- Maternal Child Health Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Michal A. Elovitz
- Maternal Child Health Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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84
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Zhang J, Jing Y, Zhang H, Bilkey DK, Liu P. Maternal immune activation leads to increased nNOS immunoreactivity in the brain of postnatal day 2 rat offspring. Synapse 2017; 72. [PMID: 28921679 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is a key arginine metabolising enzyme in the brain, and nNOS-derived nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in regulating glutamatergic neurotransmission. NO and its related molecules are involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, and human genetic studies have identified schizophrenia risk genes encoding nNOS. This study systematically investigated how maternal immune activation (MIA; a risk factor for schizophrenia) induced by polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid affected nNOS-immunoreactivity in the brain of the resulting male and female offspring at the age of postnatal day (PND) 2. Immunohistochemistry revealed a markedly increased intensity of nNOS-positive cells in the CA3 and dentate gyrus subregions of the hippocampus, the somatosensory cortex, and the striatum, but not the frontal cortex and hippocampal CA1 region, in the MIA offspring when compared to control group animals. There were no sex differences in the effect. Given the role of nNOS in glutamatergic neurotransmission and its functional relationship with glutamate NMDA receptors, increased nNOS immunoreactivity may indicate the up-regulation of NMDA receptor function in MIA rat offspring at an early postnatal age. Future research is required to determine whether these changes contribute to the neuronal and behavioral dysfunction observed in both juvenile and adult MIA rat offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxian Zhang
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yu Jing
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Hu Zhang
- Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - David K Bilkey
- Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
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85
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Perinatal inflammation and adult psychopathology: From preclinical models to humans. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 77:104-114. [PMID: 28890420 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Perinatal environment plays a crucial role in brain development and determines its function through life. Epidemiological studies and clinical reports link perinatal exposure to infection and/or immune activation to various psychiatric disorders. In addition, accumulating evidence from animal models shows that perinatal inflammation can affect various behaviors relevant to psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, autism, anxiety and depression. Remarkably, the effects on behavior and brain function do not always depend on the type of inflammatory stimulus or the perinatal age targeted, so diverse inflammatory events can have similar consequences on the brain. Moreover, other perinatal environmental factors that affect behavior (e.g. diet and stress) also elicit inflammatory responses. Understanding the interplay between perinatal environment and inflammation on brain development is required to identify the mechanisms through which perinatal inflammation affect brain function in the adult animal. Evidence for the role of the peripheral immune system and glia on perinatal programming of behavior is discussed in this review, along with recent evidence for the role of epigenetic mechanisms affecting gene expression in the brain.
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86
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Hadar R, Dong L, Del-Valle-Anton L, Guneykaya D, Voget M, Edemann-Callesen H, Schweibold R, Djodari-Irani A, Goetz T, Ewing S, Kettenmann H, Wolf SA, Winter C. Deep brain stimulation during early adolescence prevents microglial alterations in a model of maternal immune activation. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 63:71-80. [PMID: 27939248 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years schizophrenia has been recognized as a neurodevelopmental disorder likely involving a perinatal insult progressively affecting brain development. The poly I:C maternal immune activation (MIA) rodent model is considered as a neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia. Using this model we and others demonstrated the association between neuroinflammation in the form of altered microglia and a schizophrenia-like endophenotype. Therapeutic intervention using the anti-inflammatory drug minocycline affected altered microglia activation and was successful in the adult offspring. However, less is known about the effect of preventive therapeutic strategies on microglia properties. Previously we found that deep brain stimulation of the medial prefrontal cortex applied pre-symptomatically to adolescence MIA rats prevented the manifestation of behavioral and structural deficits in adult rats. We here studied the effects of deep brain stimulation during adolescence on microglia properties in adulthood. We found that in the hippocampus and nucleus accumbens, but not in the medial prefrontal cortex, microglial density and soma size were increased in MIA rats. Pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA was unchanged in all brain areas before and after implantation and stimulation. Stimulation of either the medial prefrontal cortex or the nucleus accumbens normalized microglia density and soma size in main projection areas including the hippocampus and in the area around the electrode implantation. We conclude that in parallel to an alleviation of the symptoms in the rat MIA model, deep brain stimulation has the potential to prevent the neuroinflammatory component in this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravit Hadar
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Germany
| | - Le Dong
- Cellular Neuroscience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lucia Del-Valle-Anton
- Cellular Neuroscience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dilansu Guneykaya
- Cellular Neuroscience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mareike Voget
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Germany; International Graduate Program Medical Neurosciences, Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Henriette Edemann-Callesen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Germany; International Graduate Program Medical Neurosciences, Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Regina Schweibold
- Cellular Neuroscience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anais Djodari-Irani
- Cellular Neuroscience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Goetz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Germany
| | - Samuel Ewing
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Germany
| | - Helmut Kettenmann
- Cellular Neuroscience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne A Wolf
- Cellular Neuroscience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Christine Winter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universitaet Dresden, Germany
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87
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Meehan C, Harms L, Frost JD, Barreto R, Todd J, Schall U, Shannon Weickert C, Zavitsanou K, Michie PT, Hodgson DM. Effects of immune activation during early or late gestation on schizophrenia-related behaviour in adult rat offspring. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 63:8-20. [PMID: 27423491 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.07.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal exposure to infectious agents during gestation has been identified as a significant risk factor for schizophrenia. Using a mouse model, past work has demonstrated that the gestational timing of the immune-activating event can impact the behavioural phenotype and expression of dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission markers in the offspring. In order to determine the inter-species generality of this effect to rats, another commonly used model species, the current study investigated the impact of a viral mimetic Poly (I:C) at either an early (gestational day 10) or late (gestational day 19) time-point on schizophrenia-related behaviour and neurotransmitter receptor expression in rat offspring. Exposure to Poly (I:C) in late, but not early, gestation resulted in transient impairments in working memory. In addition, male rats exposed to maternal immune activation (MIA) in either early or late gestation exhibited sensorimotor gating deficits. Conversely, neither early nor late MIA exposure altered locomotor responses to MK-801 or amphetamine. In addition, increased dopamine 1 receptor mRNA levels were found in the nucleus accumbens of male rats exposed to early gestational MIA. The findings from this study diverge somewhat from previous findings in mice with MIA exposure, which were often found to exhibit a more comprehensive spectrum of schizophrenia-like phenotypes in both males and females, indicating potential differences in the neurodevelopmental vulnerability to MIA exposure in the rat with regards to schizophrenia related changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal Meehan
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Lauren Harms
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Jade D Frost
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Rafael Barreto
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Juanita Todd
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Ulrich Schall
- Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia; School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Cynthia Shannon Weickert
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Patricia T Michie
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Deborah M Hodgson
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Priority Research Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Randwick, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
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88
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Straley ME, Van Oeffelen W, Theze S, Sullivan AM, O'Mahony SM, Cryan JF, O'Keeffe GW. Distinct alterations in motor & reward seeking behavior are dependent on the gestational age of exposure to LPS-induced maternal immune activation. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 63:21-34. [PMID: 27266391 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 06/02/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The dopaminergic system is involved in motivation, reward and the associated motor activities. Mesodiencephalic dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) regulate motivation and reward, whereas those in the substantia nigra (SN) are essential for motor control. Defective VTA dopaminergic transmission has been implicated in schizophrenia, drug addiction and depression whereas dopaminergic neurons in the SN are lost in Parkinson's disease. Maternal immune activation (MIA) leading to in utero inflammation has been proposed to be a risk factor for these disorders, yet it is unclear how this stimulus can lead to the diverse disturbances in dopaminergic-driven behaviors that emerge at different stages of life in affected offspring. Here we report that gestational age is a critical determinant of the subsequent alterations in dopaminergic-driven behavior in rat offspring exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MIA. Behavioral analysis revealed that MIA on gestational day 16 but not gestational day 12 resulted in biphasic impairments in motor behavior. Specifically, motor impairments were evident in early life, which were resolved by adolescence, but subsequently re-emerged in adulthood. In contrast, reward seeking behaviors were altered in offspring exposed MIA on gestational day 12. These changes were not due to a loss of dopaminergic neurons per se in the postnatal period, suggesting that they reflect functional changes in dopaminergic systems. This highlights that gestational age may be a key determinant of how MIA leads to distinct alterations in dopaminergic-driven behavior across the lifespan of affected offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Straley
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; The Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - Wesley Van Oeffelen
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Sarah Theze
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Aideen M Sullivan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Siobhain M O'Mahony
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gerard W O'Keeffe
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; The Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
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89
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Immune activation in lactating dams alters sucklings' brain cytokines and produces non-overlapping behavioral deficits in adult female and male offspring: A novel neurodevelopmental model of sex-specific psychopathology. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 63:35-49. [PMID: 28189716 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Revised: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Early immune activation (IA) in rodents, prenatal through the mother or early postnatal directly to the neonate, is widely used to produce behavioral endophenotypes relevant to schizophrenia and depression. Given that maternal immune response plays a crucial role in the deleterious effects of prenatal IA, and lactation is a critical vehicle of immunological support to the neonate, we predicted that immune activation of the lactating dam will produce long-term abnormalities in the sucklings. Nursing dams were injected on postnatal day 4 with the viral mimic poly-I:C (4mg/kg) or saline. Cytokine assessment was performed in dams' plasma and milk 2h, and in the sucklings' hippocampus, 6h and 24h following poly-I:C injection. Male and female sucklings were assessed in adulthood for: a) performance on behavioral tasks measuring constructs considered relevant to schizophrenia (selective attention and executive control) and depression (despair and anhedonia); b) response to relevant pharmacological treatments; c) brain structural changes. Maternal poly-I:C injection caused cytokine alterations in the dams' plasma and milk, as well as in the sucklings' hippocampus. Lactational poly-I:C exposure led to sex-dimorphic (non-overlapping) behavioral abnormalities in the adult offspring, with male but not female offspring exhibiting attentional and executive function abnormalities (manifested in persistent latent inhibition and slow reversal) and hypodopaminergia, and female but not male offspring exhibiting despair and anhedonia (manifested in increased immobility in the forced swim test and reduced saccharine preference) and hyperdopaminergia, mimicking the known sex-bias in schizophrenia and depression. The behavioral double-dissociation predicted distinct pharmacological profiles, recapitulating the pharmacology of negative/cognitive symptoms and depression. In-vivo imaging revealed hippocampal and striatal volume reductions in both sexes, as found in both disorders. This is the first evidence for the emergence of long-term behavioral and brain abnormalities after lactational exposure to an inflammatory agent, supporting a causal link between early immune activation and disrupted neuropsychodevelopment. That such exposure produces schizophrenia- or depression-like phenotype depending on sex, resonates with notions that risk factors are transdiagnostic, and that sex is a susceptibility factor for neurodevelopmental psychopathologies.
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90
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Millar J, Bilkey DK, Ward RD. Maternal immune activation alters sensitivity to action-outcome contingency in adult rat offspring. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 63:81-87. [PMID: 27592563 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2016] [Revised: 08/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have provided convincing evidence for a role of maternal immune activation in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. In recent years, several research groups have capitalised on this discovery and developed animal models such as the maternal immune activation (MIA) model that emulates many phenotypes characteristic of disorders such as schizophrenia. In the present series of experiments we used the MIA model to examine motivation, a core component of the negative symptomatology in schizophrenia. Contrary to what we expected, in the progressive ratio task, which assesses an animals' willingness to work for a reward under increasing effort requirements, we found that MIA rats appeared more motivated than controls. Subsequent tests showed that this seemingly enhanced motivation was not due to an overall increase in responding, nor due to enhanced attribution of incentive salience to reward associated responses. Instead, we found that the increased willingness to work exhibited by MIA animals was due to an inability to detect changes in the contingency between their behaviour and the resulting rewarding outcome. With regard to motivation, the experiments reported here are the first to subject the MIA model to a rigorous experimental analysis of behaviour by parsing underlying processes that give rise to the overt symptoms in psychiatric disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Millar
- University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - David K Bilkey
- University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Ryan D Ward
- University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
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91
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Murray BG, Davies DA, Molder JJ, Howland JG. Maternal immune activation during pregnancy in rats impairs working memory capacity of the offspring. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2017; 141:150-156. [PMID: 28434949 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2017.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Maternal immune activation during pregnancy is an environmental risk factor for psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia in the offspring. Patients with schizophrenia display an array of cognitive symptoms, including impaired working memory capacity. Rodent models have been developed to understand the relationship between maternal immune activation and the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. The present experiment was designed to test whether maternal immune activation with the viral mimetic polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) during pregnancy affects working memory capacity of the offspring. Pregnant Long Evans rats were treated with either saline or polyI:C (4mg/kg; i.v.) on gestational day 15. Male offspring of the litters (2-3months of age) were subsequently trained on a nonmatching-to-sample task with odors. After a criterion was met, the rats were tested on the odor span task, which requires rats to remember an increasing span of different odors to receive food reward. Rats were tested using delays of approximately 40s during the acquisition of the task. Importantly, polyI:C- and saline-treated offspring did not differ in performance of the nonmatching-to-sample task suggesting that both groups could perform a relatively simple working memory task. In contrast, polyI:C-treated offspring had reduced span capacity in the middle and late phases of odor span task acquisition. After task acquisition, the rats were tested using the 40s delay and a 10min delay. Both groups showed a delay-dependent decrease in span, although the polyI:C-treated offspring had significantly lower spans regardless of delay. Our results support the validity of the maternal immune activation model for studying the cognitive symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan G Murray
- Dept. of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, GB33, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Don A Davies
- Dept. of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, GB33, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Joel J Molder
- Dept. of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, GB33, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - John G Howland
- Dept. of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, GB33, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada.
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92
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Early neuromodulation prevents the development of brain and behavioral abnormalities in a rodent model of schizophrenia. Mol Psychiatry 2017; 23:943-951. [PMID: 28373685 PMCID: PMC5552352 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The notion that schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which neuropathologies evolve gradually over the developmental course indicates a potential therapeutic window during which pathophysiological processes may be modified to halt disease progression or reduce its severity. Here we used a neurodevelopmental maternal immune stimulation (MIS) rat model of schizophrenia to test whether early targeted modulatory intervention would affect schizophrenia's neurodevelopmental course. We applied deep brain stimulation (DBS) or sham stimulation to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of adolescent MIS rats and respective controls, and investigated its behavioral, biochemical, brain-structural and -metabolic effects in adulthood. We found that mPFC-DBS successfully prevented the emergence of deficits in sensorimotor gating, attentional selectivity and executive function in adulthood, as well as the enlargement of lateral ventricle volumes and mal-development of dopaminergic and serotonergic transmission. These data suggest that the mPFC may be a valuable target for effective preventive treatments. This may have significant translational value, suggesting that targeting the mPFC before the onset of psychosis via less invasive neuromodulation approaches may be a viable preventive strategy.
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93
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Careaga M, Murai T, Bauman MD. Maternal Immune Activation and Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Rodents to Nonhuman and Human Primates. Biol Psychiatry 2017; 81:391-401. [PMID: 28137374 PMCID: PMC5513502 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 229] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Revised: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A subset of women who are exposed to infection during pregnancy have an increased risk of giving birth to a child who will later be diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental or neuropsychiatric disorder. Although epidemiology studies have primarily focused on the association between maternal infection and an increased risk of offspring schizophrenia, mounting evidence indicates that maternal infection may also increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder. A number of factors, including genetic susceptibility, the intensity and timing of the infection, and exposure to additional aversive postnatal events, may influence the extent to which maternal infection alters fetal brain development and which disease phenotype (autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, other neurodevelopmental disorders) is expressed. Preclinical animal models provide a test bed to systematically evaluate the effects of maternal infection on fetal brain development, determine the relevance to human central nervous system disorders, and to evaluate novel preventive and therapeutic strategies. Maternal immune activation models in mice, rats, and nonhuman primates suggest that the maternal immune response is the critical link between exposure to infection during pregnancy and subsequent changes in brain and behavioral development of offspring. However, differences in the type, severity, and timing of prenatal immune challenge paired with inconsistencies in behavioral phenotyping approaches have hindered the translation of preclinical results to human studies. Here we highlight the promises and limitations of the maternal immune activation model as a preclinical tool to study prenatal risk factors for autism spectrum disorder, and suggest specific changes to improve reproducibility and maximize translational potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milo Careaga
- UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Takeshi Murai
- UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, California; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California; Biomarker Group, Drug Development Research Laboratories, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Melissa D Bauman
- UC Davis MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, California; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, California; California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, California.
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94
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da Silveira VT, Medeiros DDC, Ropke J, Guidine PA, Rezende GH, Moraes MFD, Mendes EMAM, Macedo D, Moreira FA, de Oliveira ACP. Effects of early or late prenatal immune activation in mice on behavioral and neuroanatomical abnormalities relevant to schizophrenia in the adulthood. Int J Dev Neurosci 2017; 58:1-8. [PMID: 28122258 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2017.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) during pregnancy in rodents increases the risk of the offspring to develop schizophrenia-related behaviors, suggesting a relationship between the immune system and the brain development. Here we tested the hypothesis that MIA induced by the viral mimetic polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) in early or late gestation of mice leads to behavioral and neuroanatomical disorders in the adulthood. On gestational days (GDs) 9 or 17 pregnant dams were treated with poly I:C or saline via intravenous route and the offspring behaviors were measured during adulthood. Considering the progressive structural neuroanatomical alterations in the brain of individuals with schizophrenia, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to perform brain morphometric analysis of the offspring aged one year. MIA on GD9 or GD17 led to increased basal locomotor activity, enhanced motor responses to ketamine, a psychotomimetic drug, and reduced time spent in the center of the arena, suggesting an increased anxiety-like behavior. In addition, MIA on GD17 reduced glucose preference in the offspring. None of the treatments altered the relative volume of the lateral ventricles. However, a decrease in brain volume, especially for posterior structures, was observed for one-year-old animals treated with poly I:C compared with control groups. Thus, activation of the maternal immune system at different GDs lead to neuroanatomical and behavioral alterations possibly related to the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. These results provide insights on neuroimmunonological and neurodevelopmental aspects of certain psychopathologies, such as schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivian T da Silveira
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniel de Castro Medeiros
- Center for Technology and Research in Magneto-Resonance (CTPMAG), Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jivago Ropke
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Patricia A Guidine
- Center for Technology and Research in Magneto-Resonance (CTPMAG), Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gustavo H Rezende
- Center for Technology and Research in Magneto-Resonance (CTPMAG), Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcio Flavio D Moraes
- Center for Technology and Research in Magneto-Resonance (CTPMAG), Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Mazoni A M Mendes
- Center for Technology and Research in Magneto-Resonance (CTPMAG), Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Danielle Macedo
- Drug Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical School, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Brazil
| | - Fabricio A Moreira
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
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95
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Meltzer A, Van de Water J. The Role of the Immune System in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017; 42:284-298. [PMID: 27534269 PMCID: PMC5143489 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2016.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 301] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2016] [Revised: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in communication and social skills as well as repetitive and stereotypical behaviors. While much effort has focused on the identification of genes associated with autism, research emerging within the past two decades suggests that immune dysfunction is a viable risk factor contributing to the neurodevelopmental deficits observed in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Further, it is the heterogeneity within this disorder that has brought to light much of the current thinking regarding the subphenotypes within ASD and how the immune system is associated with these distinctions. This review will focus on the two main axes of immune involvement in ASD, namely dysfunction in the prenatal and postnatal periods. During gestation, prenatal insults including maternal infection and subsequent immunological activation may increase the risk of autism in the child. Similarly, the presence of maternally derived anti-brain autoantibodies found in ~20% of mothers whose children are at risk for developing autism has defined an additional subphenotype of ASD. The postnatal environment, on the other hand, is characterized by related but distinct profiles of immune dysregulation, inflammation, and endogenous autoantibodies that all persist within the affected individual. Further definition of the role of immune dysregulation in ASD thus necessitates a deeper understanding of the interaction between both maternal and child immune systems, and the role they have in diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amory Meltzer
- Division of Rheumatology/Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Judy Van de Water
- Division of Rheumatology/Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
- NIEHS Center for Children's Environmental Health, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
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96
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Rahman T, Zavitsanou K, Purves-Tyson T, Harms LR, Meehan C, Schall U, Todd J, Hodgson DM, Michie PT, Weickert CS. Effects of Immune Activation during Early or Late Gestation on N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptor Measures in Adult Rat Offspring. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:77. [PMID: 28928676 PMCID: PMC5591421 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glutamatergic receptor [N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)] alterations within cortex, hippocampus, and striatum are linked to schizophrenia pathology. Maternal immune activation (MIA) is an environmental risk factor for the development of schizophrenia in offspring. In rodents, gestational timing of MIA may result in distinct behavioral outcomes in adulthood, but how timing of MIA may impact the nature and extent of NMDAR-related changes in brain is not known. We hypothesize that NMDAR-related molecular changes in rat cortex, striatum, and hippocampus are induced by MIA and are dependent on the timing of gestational inflammation and sex of the offspring. METHODS Wistar dams were treated the with viral mimic, polyriboinosinic:polyribocytidylic acid (polyI:C), or vehicle on either gestational day 10 or 19. Fresh-frozen coronal brain sections were collected from offspring between postnatal day 63-91. Autoradiographic binding was used to infer levels of the NMDAR channel, and NR2A and NR2B subunits in cortex [cingulate (Cg), motor, auditory], hippocampus (dentate gyrus, cornu ammonis area 3, cornu ammonis area 1), and striatum [dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens core, and nucleus accumbens shell (AS)]. NR1 and NR2A mRNA levels were measured by in situ hybridization in cortex, hippocampus, and striatum in male offspring only. RESULTS In the total sample, NMDAR channel binding was elevated in the Cg of polyI:C offspring. NR2A binding was elevated, while NR2B binding was unchanged, in all brain regions of polyI:C offspring overall. Male, but not female, polyI:C offspring exhibited increased NMDAR channel and NR2A binding in the striatum overall, and increased NR2A binding in the cortex overall. Male polyI:C offspring exhibited increased NR1 mRNA in the AS, and increased NR2A mRNA in cortex and subregions of the hippocampus. CONCLUSION MIA may alter glutamatergic signaling in cortical and hippocampal regions via alterations in NMDAR indices; however, this was independent of gestational timing. Male MIA offspring have exaggerated changes in NMDAR compared to females in both the cortex and striatum. The MIA-induced increase in NR2A may decrease brain plasticity and contribute to the exacerbated behavioral changes reported in males and indicate that the brains of male offspring are more susceptible to long-lasting changes in glutamate neurotransmission induced by developmental inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasnim Rahman
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Schizophrenia Research Institute, at Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Katerina Zavitsanou
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Schizophrenia Research Institute, at Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Tertia Purves-Tyson
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Schizophrenia Research Institute, at Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Lauren R Harms
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, at Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Crystal Meehan
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, at Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Ulrich Schall
- Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Juanita Todd
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, at Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Deborah M Hodgson
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Patricia T Michie
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, at Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Priority Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Cyndi Shannon Weickert
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia.,Schizophrenia Research Institute, at Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW, Australia
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97
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Ansen-Wilson LJ, Lipinski RJ. Gene-environment interactions in cortical interneuron development and dysfunction: A review of preclinical studies. Neurotoxicology 2017; 58:120-129. [PMID: 27932026 PMCID: PMC5328258 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 12/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Cortical interneurons (cINs) are a diverse group of locally projecting neurons essential to the organization and regulation of neural networks. Though they comprise only ∼20% of neurons in the neocortex, their dynamic modulation of cortical activity is requisite for normal cognition and underlies multiple aspects of learning and memory. While displaying significant morphological, molecular, and electrophysiological variability, cINs collectively function to maintain the excitatory-inhibitory balance in the cortex by dampening hyperexcitability and synchronizing activity of projection neurons, primarily through use of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Disruption of the excitatory-inhibitory balance is a common pathophysiological feature of multiple seizure and neuropsychiatric disorders, including epilepsy, schizophrenia, and autism. While most studies have focused on genetic disruption of cIN development in these conditions, emerging evidence indicates that cIN development is exquisitely sensitive to teratogenic disruption. Here, we review key aspects of cIN development, including specification, migration, and integration into neural circuits. Additionally, we examine the mechanisms by which prenatal exposure to common chemical and environmental agents disrupt these events in preclinical models. Understanding how genetic and environmental factors interact to disrupt cIN development and function has tremendous potential to advance prevention and treatment of prevalent seizure and neuropsychiatric illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia J Ansen-Wilson
- Department of Comparative Biosciences School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA; Comparative Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
| | - Robert J Lipinski
- Department of Comparative Biosciences School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA; Comparative Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA; Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1010B McArdle Building, 1400 University Avenue, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
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98
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Aripiprazole inhibits polyI:C-induced microglial activation possibly via TRPM7. Schizophr Res 2016; 178:35-43. [PMID: 27614570 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2016.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Revised: 08/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Viral infections during fetal and adolescent periods, as well as during the course of schizophrenia itself have been linked to the onset and/or relapse of a psychosis. We previously reported that the unique antipsychotic aripiprazole, a partial D2 agonist, inhibits the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α from interferon-γ-activated rodent microglial cells. Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (polyI:C) has recently been used as a standard model of viral infections, and recent in vitro studies have shown that microglia are activated by polyI:C. Aripiprazole has been reported to ameliorate behavioral abnormalities in polyI:C-induced mice. To clarify the anti-inflammatory properties of aripiprazole, we investigated the effects of aripiprazole on polyI:C-induced microglial activation in a cellular model of murine microglial cells and possible surrogate cells for human microglia. PolyI:C treatment of murine microglial cells activated the production of TNF-α and enhanced the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, whereas aripiprazole inhibited these responses. In addition, polyI:C treatment of possible surrogate cells for human microglia markedly increased TNF-α mRNA expression in cells from three healthy volunteers. Aripiprazole inhibited this increase in cells from two individuals. PolyI:C consistently increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in murine microglial cells by influx of extracellular Ca2+. We demonstrated that transient receptor potential in melastatin 7 (TRPM7) channels contributed to this polyI:C-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. Taken together, these data suggest that aripiprazole may be therapeutic for schizophrenia by reducing microglial inflammatory reactions, and TRPM7 may be a novel therapeutic target for schizophrenia. Further studies are needed to validate these findings.
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99
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Hollins SL, Zavitsanou K, Walker FR, Cairns MJ. Alteration of transcriptional networks in the entorhinal cortex after maternal immune activation and adolescent cannabinoid exposure. Brain Behav Immun 2016; 56:187-96. [PMID: 26923065 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune activation (MIA) and adolescent cannabinoid exposure (ACE) have both been identified as major environmental risk factors for schizophrenia. We examined the effects of these two risk factors alone, and in combination, on gene expression during late adolescence. Pregnant rats were exposed to the viral infection mimic polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C) on gestational day (GD) 15. Adolescent offspring received daily injections of the cannabinoid HU210 for 14days starting on postnatal day (PND) 35. Gene expression was examined in the left entorhinal cortex (EC) using mRNA microarrays. We found prenatal treatment with poly I:C alone, or HU210 alone, produced relatively minor changes in gene expression. However, following combined treatments, offspring displayed significant changes in transcription. This dramatic and persistent alteration of transcriptional networks enriched with genes involved in neurotransmission, cellular signalling and schizophrenia, was associated with a corresponding perturbation in the expression of small non-coding microRNA (miRNA). These results suggest that a combination of environmental exposures during development leads to significant genomic remodeling that disrupts maturation of the EC and its associated circuitry with important implications as the potential antecedents of memory and learning deficits in schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon L Hollins
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Katerina Zavitsanou
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Frederick Rohan Walker
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Murray J Cairns
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Schizophrenia Research Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia.
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100
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Oh-Nishi A, Koga K, Maeda T, Suhara T. A possible serologic biomarker for maternal immune activation-associated neurodevelopmental disorders found in the rat models. Neurosci Res 2016; 113:63-70. [PMID: 27425770 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2016.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Revised: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have shown that maternal infection during early pregnancy increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (i.e., schizophrenia or autism) in offspring. Recently, diagnostic/stratification biomarkers for the maternal immune activation background in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders have been energetically searched for in the patient blood. Here, we report a novel serologic marker candidate for the disorders found in the maternal immune activation (MIA) rat model. Serum proteome analysis of the MIA rat showed that the immunoglobulin (Ig) light chain is reproducibly augmented. The Ig light chain in sera takes two forms - free form or bound to the Ig heavy chain. Only the former is an inflammatory disease marker, but pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the sera of the MIA rats were below detectable limits of the ELISA protocol we used. We thereby carried out serum assays of Ig light chains and pro-inflammatory cytokines of commercially available schizophrenia patient sera for research. Although the number of samples was limited, we found augmentation of free Ig light chains but not pro-inflammatory cytokines in sporadic schizophrenia patient sera. Our findings suggest that Ig light chain assay of the schizophrenia/autism patient sera would be worthy to be validated in larger scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arata Oh-Nishi
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan.
| | - Kaori Koga
- Anatech Corporation, Tokyo 113-0034, Japan
| | - Tadakazu Maeda
- Professor Emeritus, Kitasato University, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Suhara
- Department of Functional Brain Imaging, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Sciences and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
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